Short Condor (Short Call Condor) Vs Covered Strangle Options Trading Strategy Comparison

The Short Call Condor works well when you expect the price of the underlying to be very volatile. In other words, when the trader is anticipating massive price movements (in any direction) in the underlying during the lifetime of the options.

A covered strangle strategy can be used when you are bullish on the market but also want to cover any downside risk. You are prepared to sell the shares on profit but are also willing to buy more shares in case the prices fall.

When you are unsure about the direction in the movement in the price of the underlying but are expecting high volatility in it in the near future.

The Strategy is perfect to apply when you're bullish on the market and expecting less volatility in the market.

Suppose Nifty is trading at 10,400. If you expect high volatility in the Nifty in the coming days then you can execute Short Call Condor by selling 1 ITM Nifty Call at 10,200, buying 1 ITM Call at 10,300, buying 1 OTM Call Option at 10, 500 and selling 1 OTM Nifty Call at 10, 600. Your maximum loss will be if Nifty closes in the range of 10,300 to 10,500 on expiry while maximum profit will be on either side of upper or lower strikes.

The covered strangle options strategy can be executed by buying 100 shares of a stock while simultaneously selling an OTM Put and Call of the same the stock and similar expiration date.

There are 2 break even points in this strategy. The upper break even is hit when the underlying price is equal to the difference between strike price of highest strike shot call and net premium paid. The lower break even is hit when the underlying price is equal to the strike price of lowest strike short call and net premium paid.

Lower Breakeven = Lower Strike Price + Net Premium

Upper breakeven = Higher Strike Price - Net Premium

There are 2 break-even points in the covered strangle strategy. One is the Upper break even point which is the sum of strike price of the Call option and premium received while the other is the lower break-even point which is the difference strike price of short Put and premium received.

This is a limited risk strategy. The maximum risk in a short call condor strategy is calculated as below:

Max Loss = Strike Price of Lower Strike Long Call - Strike Price of Lower Strike Short Call - Net Premium Received + Commissions Paid

The max risk is when the price of the underlying remains in between strike price of 2 long calls.

The risk on this strategy is only on the downside when the price moves below the strike price of the Put option.

The maximum profit in a short call condor strategy is realized when the price of the underlying is trading outside the range at time of expiration.<.p>

Max Profit = Strike Price of Lower Strike Short Call - Strike Price of Lower Strike Long Call - Net Premium Paid

The maximum profit on this strategy happens when the stock price is above the call price on expiry. The profit is the total of the gain from buying/selling stocks and net premium received on selling options.

All options exercised or not exercised

You will earn the maximum profit when the price of the stock is above the Call option strike price on expiry. You will be assigned on the Call option, would be able to sell holding shares on profit while retaining the premiums received while selling the options.

Both ITM Calls exercised

The maximum loss would be when the stock price falls drastically and turns worthless. The premiums received while selling the options will compensate for some of the loss.

It allows you to profit from highly volatile underlying assets moving in any direction.

The maximum profit for the condor trade may be low in relation to other trading strategies but it has a comparatively wider profit zone.

Earn profit with little or no investment as you will have a credit of net premiums.

• As the strategy involves buying shares when prices fall, there is long-term gain even if their short-term loss.
• There is no upside risk due to the long position in stocks.
• Allows you to earn income in a moderately bullish market.

Strike prices selected may have an impact on the potential of profit.

Brokerage and taxes make a significant impact on the profits from this strategy. The cost of trading increases with the number of legs. This strategy has 4 legs and thus the brokerage cost is higher.

• The substantial risk when the price moves downwards.
• Risk of assignments.